United States History II Road Map for Success: The Vietnam War   No war dramatized foreign policy of containment like the undeclared war in Vietnam. After the fall of China to the communists in 1949, the United States believed it must take a hard stand in Vietnam to prevent further communist influence in the Southeast Asia. After a humiliating and demoralizing French defeat at the hands of guerilla forces at Dien Bien Phu in 1954, the United States began supplying democratic South Vietnam with military advisors, as well as military and economic aid, to prevent the communist take over. By 1968, more than 500,000 American soldiers were in Vietnam. As our commitment grew in both troop strength and war costs, it began to appear that we were in a quagmire, an un-winnable war. Finally, in January of 1973, America signed an agreement with North Vietnam to end the war. By March, 1973, the last U.S. combat troops left Vietnam for home. On the home front, the United States experienced one of it most dramatic cultural shifts in its short history. A gap formed between generations, between the government and the people, between those who thought the United States should keep the world safe for democracy, and those who believed the U.S. should mind its own business. You will master the following learning standards: USII.20 Explain the causes, course, and consequences of the Vietnam War and summarize the diplomatic and military policies of Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon.

Depth of Understanding (1-4)   Skill I CAN… Classroom Activities Depth of Understanding (1-4) How do I get there? 1) Recall the origins of French interest in Indochina. 2) Identify the causes of U.S. intervention in Vietnam under JFK. 3) Describe the U.S. military expansion under Johnson 4) Summarize the public’s reaction to the Vietnam war during Nixon’s presidency. SELF ASSESSMENT HOW ARE YOU DOING SO FAR??? 5) Explain the impact of the war on American society. 6) Analyze the roots of opposition to the Vietnam war. 7) Identify the numerous issues that Vietnam raised for African-Americans and women. 8) Summarize the final resolution of the Vietnam war, and its painful legacy in the United States and Southeast Asia.